Drug prescribing patterns in patients visiting the emergency medicine department at a tertiary care teaching hospital: a prospective study

Background: Drug utilization studies seek to monitor, evaluate and suggest modifications in the prescribing practices with the aim of making the medical care rational and cost effective. A study of prescription patterns is an important tool to determine rational drug therapy and maximize utilization of resources.Methods: This study was a prospective, cross sectional & observative study of patients (N=250) who attended the emergency medicine department of TMMC & RC, Moradabad, U.P., India.Results: A total of 250 patients received 2004 drugs with the mean of 8.016±1.935/patient. The average stay of patients in the emergency medicine department was 3.025±1.010 days. Most common disorder was of cardiovascular system (N=65, 26%). Pantoperazole (N=180) was most common drug prescribed followed by ondansetron (N=148).Conclusions: Maximum number of patient attended in emergency medicine department was of cardiovascular disorder followed by respiratory disorder. pantoperazole and ondansetron were the most commonly prescribed drugs. Polypharmacy was prevalent. The result of our study highlights the importance of strategies that have to be implemented to optimize medication use in emergency medicine department